Gary Gerould

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Top 5 G-Man Calls in Kings History

sacjwise

In this audio documentary, we take a look at the love for sports radio play-by-play and Gary Gerould's journey to becoming a legendary voice in basketball. Featuring interviews with G-Man, Chris Webber, Doug Christie, Marv Albert, Grant Napear and more.

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Podcast: The Story of G-Man

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Gary Gerould Calls Fox's Game-Winner

Kyle Ramos

As the season is starting up, fans will be able to tune in to hear live action during all Kings games in 2017-18.

Throughout preseason and regular season contests, Sports 1140 KHTK will provide coverage before, during, after the games.

Returning to his post will be legendary play-by-play man Gary Gerould, who will be accompanied by Jason Ross and former Kings player Henry Turner as the host and analyst, respectively, during shows before and following the games.

Kings fans within 75 miles of Sacramento can also listen in to broadcasts on-the-go using the radio feature in the Kings + Golden 1 Center app.

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KHTK to Broadcast All Kings Games

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With the opening of Golden 1 Center, this past year has been unforgettable season in Kings franchise history. But, where did it all begin?

On May 16th, the Sacramento Kings and Sacramento County Historical Society are hosting “The History of the Sacramento Kings” dinner and panel.

Come learn about the team’s move from Kansas City to Sacramento, the glory days of the early 2000s, and the unforgettable efforts to keep the Kings in the capital city. The panel discussing all these moments and more includes Gary Gerould, Jerry Reynolds, Doug Christie, Grant Napear, and former owner Gregg Lukenbill - all major figures from the past and present of Kings franchise history.

“I’m very proud of the fact that I’ve been able to be involved through all these years and have seen so many characters come and go,” said Gerould, reflecting on his time with the Kings. “I’m obviously very excited about what the future appears to hold for this organization.”

Regular: For $125, guests will witness the panel presentation featuring Kings Legends, and will be invited to take part in a gourmet dinner and tour of Golden 1 Center.

VIP: For $250, VIP attendees will take part in a gourmet dinner and tour of Golden 1 Center, view the panel presentation on the in-depth history, and will also partake in a VIP Reception.

VIP Table (10): For $3,000, VIP parties of 10 will received premium seating at the gourmet dinner, and will be treated to the full VIP experience throughout the evening.

To purchase tickets, visit kingshistory.brownpapertickets.com.

For information on Sponsorship Levels, please contact Greg Voelm or (916) 206-2062.

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Celebrate the History of the Kings

Jonathan Santiago

As the long-time radio voice of the Sacramento Kings, there isn’t anything Gary Gerould hasn’t seen, heard or witnessed. Over the course of the franchise’s 32 seasons in Sacramento, the venerable broadcaster, known to the masses as the G-Man, has been revered for his smooth yet colorful approach to calling Kings games.

In a career filled with plenty of highlights, Gerould will reach another milestone on Sunday when he broadcasts his 2,500th game.

“I had no idea that I might have the opportunity to do that,” the 76-year-old radio voice said, reflecting on his longevity in the NBA with Kings.com. “I hoped that it would be for a good long period of time, but never even dreamed that it might last the way it has lasted.”

Gerould was likely destined to accomplish this monumental feat. Growing up in the small town of Midland, Mich., the radio voice of the Kings was captivated by sports and broadcasting at a young age. As a teenager, he explored that interest by spending time at the local radio station, located just a mile away from his home. The staff took a liking to Gerould, who considered the station his own personal “sanctuary”.

“From as young as I can ever remember, that’s what I wanted to do,” he said of his interest in media.  “I had a fascination with sports and broadcasting.”

Gerould went on to study at Anderson University, a small college in Indiana, but returned to Michigan every summer, where he worked full time at his hometown station. He later parlayed his education and experience into a broadcasting job out west with KHSL Television in Chico. And after two years, Gerould made the 90-mile move south to Sacramento for an opportunity with KCRA Television and Radio.

Throughout his 20s and 30s, Gerould honed his craft covering a multitude of sports at a variety of levels. But it wouldn't be until his 40s that he got his shot to call the NBA.

“When the Kings came along in 1985, I had not done basketball for about 15 years,” Gerould recalled. “And it was kind of interesting that the opportunity afforded itself. And as it worked out, I was able to get the job and here we are 32 years later and a whole lot of games later. Looking back on the big picture, it’s kind of interesting the way it all evolved.”

Since taking the reigns of Kings broadcasts following the team’s move to Sacramento, Gerould has been blessed to experience basketball at its highest level. From the days of Bird, Magic and Jordan to the reign of Webber, Bibby and Stojakovic, the radio voice of the Kings has provided memorable commentary on some of the game’s biggest stars.

“I’ve been so fortunate to see so many greats,” Gerould said. “That’s part of the job that makes it so special. Because on any night, you may see something that just totally blows your mind. (These) guys are such amazing athletes. You know it, you see it. That’s part of the charm of what I’m privileged to get to do every night the Kings get to take the floor.”

G-Man has also witnessed the game transform in ways that continue to impress him each and every day. He notes the rise in athleticism among players in the ‘80s and ‘90s as a complete game-changer. And in today’s NBA, he’s in awe of the perimeter marksmanship that has become a standard prerequisite to success in the League.

“It is always interesting how the game is always evolving,” he said. “There’s always a new wrinkle, there’s always an evolutionary step taking place and that makes it fun. You watch these guys and you marvel. To me I’m a fan; I’m a broadcaster, but I’m a fan just like everybody else. And you love seeing these guys put their skills on display.”

With a Kings broadcasting career that’s spanned over three decades, there’s plenty of moments in team history that stand out for the G-Man. He remembered vividly the “fanatical support of fans as the NBA was introduced to Sacramento” during the team’s first season in California. He reminisced fondly over ARCO Arena’s deafening rumble during Kings first-round matchup against the Sonics in 1996.  And he looked back bittersweetly to the early 2000s when the Kings battled the Lakers for Western Conference supremacy.

But through the ups and the downs, the veteran broadcaster is showing no signs of slowing down. As he readies to call game No. 2,500, Gerould is approaching it with the same enthusiasm and fervor of his very first broadcast.

“It is taxing, but by the same token not many people get the opportunity to do what I do,” said Gerould when asked about dealing with the demands of a long NBA season. “And I love what I do. I have a passion for the game and I have a passion for broadcasting. It’s been my life and I love the opportunity to do it.

“I think I’m so fortunate and so blessed that the organization has treated me well over the years and I continue to have an opportunity,” he added poignantly. “And as long as I have good health and as long as I feel like I can continue to do a credible job, I want to continue because I just love it. It’s just ingrained in me.”

Jonathan Santiago is a freelance writer. Find more of his work by visiting his website.

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Gary Gerould Reflects Ahead of 2,500th Kings Game

Shahbaz Khan

In the 14th episode of the Kings Talk Podcast, Kings Radio Broadcaster Gary Gerould joins Jason Ross to discuss Golden 1 Center, his long career, his special DJ name, favorite memories and more!

Listen to the complete 14th episode below:

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Kings Talk Podcast Episode 14 - Gary Gerould

“The hair still stands up on the back of my neck,” said KHTK 1140 radio personality and diehard Kings fan Carmichael Dave after watching Playing To Win.

The film, which chronicles the team’s relocation saga, debuted to a sold-out audience at the Esquire IMAX Theater in downtown Sacramento on Wednesday.

The event was attended by many of the biggest players in the story, including Mayor Kevin Johnson, Dave, Grant Napear, Jerry Reynolds, Gary Gerould and more.

Following a short introduction, the film opens with a litany of news reports from the morning of Jan. 9, 2013, following a Tweet by food blogger Diana Falk, daughter of NBA agent David Falk, “confirming” the team’s sale to a Seattle-based investment group led by Chris Hansen.

However, to tell the entire story, Playing to Win backtracked to two years prior and the rumored intention of the team to leave Sacramento for Anaheim following the 2010-11 season.

After Sacramento’s 2010-11 season finale – during a fan orchestrated “sit in” which lasted an extended timeframe following the final horn – Carmichael Dave literally and figuratively ascended to become the de facto leader of fans during the Sacramento Kings relocation saga.

Standing on a ladder at center court, wearing a Kings hockey-style jersey and customary backwards hat, Dave produced a prophetic moment that will be etched into the history of the franchise, stating “Who knows what the future holds except this – this thing is not over by a long shot.”

And history has since proven it wasn’t over.

Dave mentions early in the film that he cannot sit around and wait for the story to unfold.

So, near the end of the 2012-13 season, he set out on a “Playing to Win Tour” that would span the width of the country, ultimately arriving in New York for the NBA’s Relocation Committee meeting.

Meanwhile, Mayor Kevin Johnson was determined to find a way in which he could help keep the team in his hometown, starting with the search for a new ownership group.

The film tells the parallel stories of Mayor Johnson and Dave, bouncing back and forth from Dave's travels across the country to drive awareness and share Sacramento’s story to NBA boardrooms, Relocation Committee press conferences and stories of Mayor Johnson's all-encompassing strategy sessions.

A month later, following the “Playing to Win Tour’s" return home and weeks of rampant online rumor and speculation, Carmichael Dave is shown in the film laying on his couch reading Twitter, when a magical post surfaces.

The relocation committee submitted its recommendation for the Kings to remain in Sacramento.

Overcome with joy and relief, the scope of the moment finally hits him as he breaks down in tears, simultaneously as he joins a call with Napear, who is also in tears.

Even though fans know the story and outcome, the phone call shared between two colleagues and friends is a powerful moment in the film and encapsulates the sentiment fans share for their beloved team and relief it was finally all over.

“[The film] really was a love letter,” Dave said, “Not just to the city and the Mayor, but to all the different grassroots movements that really played a vital role in keeping the spirit in the city ignited.”